Operating mechanism



Oct. 3, 1933. MORRIS 1,928,698

OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 26, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 1ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1933. H CR s 1,928,698

OPERATING MECHANI SM Filed Aug. 26, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5i? H bINVENTOR IKI Q4 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 3, 1933 1,928,698 7 OPERATINGMECHANISM Howard I. Morris, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to The Yoder-MorrisCompany, Cleveland, Ohio,

7 a corporation of Ohio Application August 26, 1927. Serial No. 215,725

7 6 Claims. (01. 268 -67) This invention relates to a mechanism foroperating a movable member, such as a door or the like.

, One object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism formoving a member having a starting device and controlling connectionsbetween the device and the power means of the mechanism arranged toactuate the power means in a predetermined period of time following theoperation of the starting device.

Another-object of the invention is to construct an improved mechanismfor operating a door of a vehicle storing structure wherein means are.Provided for effecting warning signals during the "period in which thevehicle is making its exit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved operatingmechanism wherein the memberto be operated is automatically moved .inone direction. Another object of the invention is to provide an improvedelectrically controlled mechanismin which the circuits and devicestherein are so connected and relatedthat after the lapse of apredetermined period the member to be controlled is automaticallyoperated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved door operatingmechanism for a vehicle storing structure, having a starting meansdisposed in the path of movement of a portion of the vehicle and capableofclosing the door or doors after the vehicle passes therethrough.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart-to which my invention relates from the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings wherein V Fig. 1 is a viewshowing diagrammatically a structure or building for storing avehicleand also in plan a vehicle therein and a door operating mechanism andsignalling devices embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the elec- .i

tric circuits. V 1

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the time determining device.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section on the lines 55 of Figs. 3 and 4. V

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an operating means showing a slightlydifferent embodiment of the invention. i

While my improved mechanism is capable of many diiferent applications, Ihave, in practice, used it in buildings utilizedfor storingjfireapparatus. In such buildings, it has been customary to leave the door ordoors open while the apparatus is in active service or to hire a man whoremains in the building when the apparatus is called to a fire andcloses the door of the building immediatelyafter the apparatus has madeits exit therefrom. My invention seeks to avoid both of theseobjectionable practices since it operates automatically to close thedoor or doors after the apparatus has been driven out. My invention isequally adapted to buildings commonly known as garages.

In the drawings, 1 indicates as an entirety a structure of suitablesize, such as a fire station or garage. This structure is showndiagrammatically. 2 indicates an opening or passage way for a vehicle 3which is shown in plan View, diagrammatica-lly. 4 indicates the doorsfor the opening 2. The opening may be closed by one or more doors 4, asdesired. The doors may be of the sliding or hinged together type, but bypreference they are hinged tothe sides of the opening and swingoutwardly-see dotted lines in Fig. 1. In the illustrated application of,the invention, the opening 2 is related to a street a, a drive b leadingfrom the street to the door opening, the street being defined by sidewalks 0, 0. Where the doors 4 are hinged as shown, I prefer to use amotor and elements operated thereby to swing the doors open and thenclosed such as disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 7,087 (seeLetters Patent No. 1,874,576, dated August 30, 1932). The motor is showndiagrammatically at 5. The motor 5 is supported on the lower side of aframe 6, which in turn is supported by structural members of thebuilding 1 above and centrally of the door opening 2. The drivenelements comprise a shaft having a worm (not shown), two gears 7, 7 inmesh with and simultaneously driven by this worm and a link 7a betweeneach gear and the adjacent door, so arranged that the gear serves as acrank to swing the door in one direction when the gear is rotated onehalf turn.

One sideof thefimotor is connected by a lead 8 to one electric supplymain 9. The other side of the motor is connected by leads 10,10a, to onecontact 11 of a magnetically operated switch 14. The other switchcontact 12 is arranged to be connected by the armature 13 (or aconductor 13 controlled thereby) of the switch 14. The contact 12 isconnected by a lead 15 to the main 16 indicates auxiliary circuitsarranged to close the motor circuit and maintain it closed until thedoor or doors 4 have reached their open or closed position. This circuitcomprises the following: a lead 17 connecting the lead 15 to oneposition.

contact 18 of a normally open switch 19; a lead 20 connecting the otherswitch contact 18a to one end of the winding of the switch 14; a lead 21connecting the other end of the winding with the lead 8; a lead 22connected to the lead 29 and lead 10; and a normally closed switch 23interposed in thelead 22 and arranged to be automatically opened whenthe doors 4 reach their limit of movement in either direction. Theopening of the switch 23 is dependent upon the rotation of one of thegears '7, '7; such gear carrying a pair of devices (one being shown at24Fig. 2) diametrically opposite each other and each arranged to engagethe switch and open it, thereby breaking the auxiliary circuit andde-energizing the winding of the switch 14, which in turn opens thecircuit for the motor. 25 indicates a separate switch in the lead 22adapted to be operated manually, at will, to stop the motor 5. Theswitch 25 preferably spring operated to closed position. The switch 19is normally open and ispreferablyof the push button type so that it maybe released following the closing of the circuit across the contacts1112. The auxiliary circuit and motor circuit control of the motor 5 isas follows (assuming that the doors are closed as shown in Fig. 1) Theswitch 19 is closed.- This closes the circuit consisting of lead 15,.lead 1'7, switch 19, lead 20,

magnetic switch winding, leadv 21' and lead 8..

The energizing of the winding moves its'armature 13 and effectsengagement of the conductor 13 with contacts 11, 12, to close the motorcircuit and a supplemental circuit, which includes the winding tomaintain the motor circuit closed upon the release of the switch 19. Themotor circuit is traced as follows; from one side'of m0 tor 5 by leads10, 1011, contact 11, conductor 13 contact 12 and lead 15; from theother side of the motor by lead 8. The supplemental circuit is traced asfollows: lead 8, lead 21, magnetic switch winding, lead 20, lead 22,lead 10a, contact 11,conductor'13 contact 12 and lead 15.

It will be understood from. the foregoing description that the switch.19 when closed will effect operation of the motor 5 which will rotatethe gears to swing the doors 4 to open position, at which time one ofthe devices 24 will open the switch 23, whereupon the motor 5 will stop.If the-switch 19 be again closed, the doors 4 will swing to their closed'position..

In my present invention I associate with the motor and auxiliarycircuits electrical control' means, indicated as an entirety at 26,constructed and arranged to set the motor 5 in operation to swing thedoors 4 closed, as shown in Fig. 1, such control means being constructedto be cut at or prior to the time the doors reach their closed Thecontrol means includes a time determining device 2'7 which provides forthe lapse of a predetermined period between the operation of a separateswitch forminga part of the control means and the starting of the motor5. The arrangement permits the separate switch to be operated by someportion of the vehicle as it moves toward the door opening 2, but givessufficient time for the vehicle to pass therethrough before the doorsare started in their return direction to closed position.

Of the control means 26, 2'7? indicates a separate switch disposedin.the path of movement of one of the wheels of the vehicle 3. The switch27' consists of. one or more pairs of contacts normally held in spacedrelation and adapted to close a circuit when one engages the other. Thisswitch may be similar in construction to the switch shown in and formingthe subject matter of my co-pending application Serial No. 188,163 (seeLetters Patent No. 1,725,963, dated August 2'7, 1929). 28 indicates alead from one contact of the switch 27' and connected to the lead 15. 29indicates a lead connected to the lead 28 and to one contact 30 of aswitch device or conductor 31 (carried or operated by the armature of amagnetic switch 32). 33 indicates a lead connected to the other contactof the switch 27'. The lead 33 is connected to the time determiningdevice 2'7 andby branch leads 33a, 33b, to the other contact 30 of theswitch device 31 and to a wire 34, respectively, the wire 34 beingconnected to one end of the winding of the magnetic switch 32 and thecorresponding end of the winding of a magnetic switch 35; the latterswitch to be referred to later. The opposite ends of the switch windingsare connected by wires 32a, 3511, respectively, to .a common return lead36, which is connected to the lead 8. The lead 36 is also connected tothe time determining device 27, whereby the same will be operated whenthe circuit is completed through it. 3'7 indicates a suitable resistancesuch as a lamp, in the lead 36. 38 indicates a switch interposed in thelead 28 between the connection of the lead therewith and the lead 15.The movable member of the switch is connected to one of the doors 4 insuch manner that it will be open when the doors are closed to preventthe operation of the control means when they are in this position, butclosed when the doors are open, so that operation of the switch 27 willcontrol and effect the closing of the doors.

The time determining device 2'7 preferably consists of a thermostatarranged to complete acircuit 16 which includes the auxiliary circuit16, so that the latter will effect operation of the motor 5. Thethermostat comprises a section of metal 27a capable of expansion underthe influence of heat and conducting electric current, so

that it may make contact with a terminal 39 to which the lead 40(forming part of the circuit 16') is connected, the other end of thelead 40 being connected to the lead 20. I prefer to make the thermostatelement 270. from aluminum. The ends of the thermostat element 271; arestationarily mounted against and secured to abutments 41 of a suitablesupport 41', so that its intermediate portion may flex laterally.

As shown, the lead 33 is electrically connected to one end of theelement 27a by a terminal 27b and a portion of the lead 36 (such portionbeing indicated at 36a) is wrapped around but insulated from the element271i and electrically connected to the opposite end thereof by means ofterminal 270, but the portion 36a being formed of suitable resistancematerial so as to heat the thermostat element. The terminal 39 iselectrically connected to a contact member 42 which carries anadjustable screw 42a adapted to be engaged by the thermostat element 27awhen it has expanded a predetermined distance due to the heat of theresistance 36a, to close the circuit 16'. By adjusting the screw endtoward and from the element 27a, the period required to heat and expandthe latter into engagement therewith may be varied, so that the timeinterval between the closing of the switch 2'7 and starting of the motor5 may be predetermined, at will.

Ope ration. The doors 4 being openthe switch" 38 is closed, as shown indotted linesin Fig. 2. When the vehicle 3 starts to move towardthe dooropening 2, its rear wheel passes over the switch 27' which closes acircuit (in which the winding of-theswitch 32 is connected in series)which is traced as follows: from one side of switch 27 by leads 28 and15; from the other side of the switch. 27 by lead 33, branch lead 33b,wire 34, winding of switch 32, wire 32a, lead 36 and lead 8. In closingthis circuit, the switch winding is energized which effects a closing ofthe switch device 31. This completes a secondary circuit traced asfollows: lead 15, lead 28, lead 29, contact 30, armature 31, contact30', lead 33a, lead 33, thermostat element 27a, resistance 36a, lead 36and lead 8, and also a shunt circuit from lead 33a, through lead 33b,wire 34, winding of switch 32, wire 32a to wire 36, the purpose of theshunt circuit being to maintain the winding of switch energized and thuskeep the circuit across the contacts 30, 30 closed. As the contactingmeans for the thermostat element 27a are connected in series in thesecondary circuit, the expansion of the element 27a will result in'making contact with the contact 42a, whereupon the operating circuit 16will be completed, as follows: lead 15, lead 28, lead 29, contact 30,conductor 31, contact 30, lead 33a, lead 33, thermostat element 2711,contact 4211, terminal 39, lead 40, lead 20, winding of switch 14, lead21 and lead 8; the winding of the switch 14 being energized, thecontacts 11, 12, will be connected by the conductor 13 so that the motorcircuit will be completed and the motor 5 will operate to swing thedoors 4 to closed position. Upon the closing of the doors, the switch 38will be automatically opened. This will break the circuit 16 anddeenergize the winding of switch 32, thus opening the circuit for thetime determining device 27 across the contacts 30, 30, and permittingthe thermostat element to contract to its normal position. As thecircuit through the winding of the magnetic switch 14 is closed asalreadyset forth, the opening of the circuit 16 will not stop the motor,butthe latter willcontinue to operate until one of the devices 24 opensthe auxiliary circuit.

'43 indicates a switch interposed in the lead 28 and serving, when'open,to cut out the control means 26. I preferably provide a lead 44 from thelead 28, beyond the switch43 to the lead 8 and connect therein apilotlamp 45 to indicate whether the switch is open or closed.

When it is desirable to give'warnings of the exit of the vehicle 8, Iprovide suitable signaling devices, such as a lamp 46 (red colored'toindi-' cate danger) or a sound emitting device 47, such as anelectrically operated horn. I have shown,

the main 9 and to one side of each device, and a lead 51 connected tothe other side of each device, and to one contact 52 of a switch 53,which consists of the conductor carried by the armature for the magneticswitch 35 and arranged to bridge the circuit from thecontact 52 to theother contact 52a and a lead 53a connected to the latter contact and themain 9. As the winding for the magnetic switch 35 is connected in thecircuit between the lead 33 and lead 36, it will be seen that whenswitch 27' is operated and the circuits of the control means 26 areclosed, as already set forth, the signaling devices will be actuatedupon the closing of the switch27 and continue to be actuated until thedoors 4 closethat is,'until the switch 38 is opened. As the The circuitfor these devices comprises a lead 50 connected to.

closing of the circuit for the signaling devices is dependent on thecircuits for the control means, such devices will also be inoperative ifthe switch 43 is opened.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a slightly different embodiment of the inventionwherein the time determining device is interconnected with or interposedbetween the motor and the switch which controls the opening of the doorsso that following the movement of the doors to open position and at theend of a predetermined period of time the doors will automatically swingto closed position.

In this view, 9a, 95. indicate the electric supply mains, the formerbeing connected to one side of the motor 5', which operates the gears 7,7', as shown in Fig. 1, and the latter being connected to one contact 54of a magnetic switch 55. The movable member 55 of the switch 55constitutes the armature thereof. The other contact 57 of the switch 55is connected by a lead 58 to the other side of the motor 5. 59 indicatesa lead between the lead 58 and one contact of a normally closed switch60, which is actuated to open position to break the motor circuit, by asuitable device, such as cams 61, (only one'being shown), on one of thegear wheels 7, 7, when the doors reach their open or. closed position;The other contact of the 7 switch 60 is connected by a lead 62 toacontact 63a of a normally open switch 63. The other contact of theswitch'63 is connected by a lead 64 to the main 9a. 65 indicates a wireconnected to the lead 62 and the terminal 66 of a time determiningdevice 67, which is preferably similar in construction to that shown inFigs. 3, ,4, and 5. The terminal 66 is arranged to be engaged by thethermostat element 6711, as willv later appear. '68 indicates a leadconnected to the lead 62 and one end of the winding for the magneticswitch 55; the other end of the winding being connected by leads 69, 70,with the main 9a. The switch 63 may be manually operated or it may bearranged in the path of movement of one of the wheels of the vehicle 3.In this latter event a separate switch may be provided to permit ofmanual closing of the circuit. When the switch 63 is closed a circuit,in which the magnetic switch winding is included, is completed, therebyclosing the circuit across the contacts 54-57. The first circuit istraced as follows: contact 635 of switch 63, lead 64 and main 9a;contact 63a, lead 62, lead 68,

switch winding, lead-69, lead 70 and main 9a.

tact 57, lead 58, lead 59, switch 60, lead 62, lead I 68, winding ofmagnetic switch 56, lead 69, lead 70 and main 9a, which circuit willmaintain the switch winding energized and the magnetic switch closed,until the cam 61 opens the switch 60, whereupon the switch windingbecomes deenergized and the magnetic switch opens to break the motorcircuit. By this arrangement, the switch 63 need not be maintainedclosed after the magnetic switch circuit is once completed.

71 indicates a lead connected to the lead 64 and one end of thethermostat element 67a. The other end of the element has connected to ita lead 72. A portion 72a of this lead is wrapped around the element 67a,such portion being formed of resistance material to eifect heating ofthe element as already set forth in connection with the embodiment shownin Fig. 2. The lead '72 is connected to the lead '70. '73 indicates aswitch connected to and operated by one of the doors, 4, its connectiontherewith being so arranged that when the doors are closed the switchwill be open, but when the doors are in open position the switch will beclosed and complete a circuit as follows: from one contact of switch 73,through lead 71, element 67a, resistance 72a, lead 72 (and suitableresistance element-lamp 72), lead and main 9a; and from the othercontact of switch 73 through lead 71, lead 64 and main 9a and fromterminal 66 through lead 65, lead 62, lead 68, magnetic switch winding,leads 69, 70 and main 9a. The closing of this circuit will energize theswitch winding and thus close the motor circuit, which has already beendescribed. The motor 5 will then swing the doors 4 closed in whichposition the switch 73 will be opened and eifect the opening of thecircuit in which the switch winding is connected to de-energize thelatter and thus break the motor circuit.

74 indicates a switch which may be manually operated to prevent theclosing of the circuit through time element when the doors are opened.

In the construction shown in Fig. 6, a separate switch 63 may beprovided outside the building or garage so as to effect opening 01' thedoors and their closing-after the lapse of a predetermined period,during which the vehicle may be driven into the building.

In the construction shown in Fig. 2, it will be understood'that upon thereturn of the vehicle 3 to the position shown in Fig. 1, the wheel ofthe vehicle in passing over the switch 27 causesthe closing of the doorsautomatically in the same manner as when the vehicle is driven out, butthe doors may be manually closed at will by the switch 19; also by theprovision of the separate switch 43, which cuts out the timing device27, the doors may be kept open while the vehicle is being driven in oruntil it has passed over the switch 27'.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of myinvention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit andscope thereof. My description and the disclosures herein are notintended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is: v

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a buildinghaving an opening and a door for closing said opening, of an electricmotor operatively connected with said door to move it to open positionor to closed position, main and secondary circuits for said motor and aswitch for said circuits, whereby the latter when closed operate saidmotor to move said door in one direction, a separate circuit, a timecontrolled switch element in said separate circuit and controlledthereby; and a supplemental circuit arranged to be closed by said switchelement for controlling said main and secondary circuits, whereby thelatter operate said motor to move said door in the opposite direction.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a buildinghaving an opening and a door for closing said opening, of an electricmotor operatively connected with said door to move it to open positionor closed position, main and secondary circuits for said motor and aswitch for said circuits, whereby the latter, when closed, operate themotor to move said door in one direction, a separate circuit having athermostat element therein, a contact arranged to be engaged by saidthermostat element, and a lead between said contact and said main andsecondary circuits and arranged to complete a circuit including saidseparate circuit and said main and secondary circuits, whereby saidmotor is operated to move said door in the opposite direction.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the separate circuitincludes a switch that is actuated into closed and open positions bysaid door, whereby said separate circuit can only be closed when thedoor is in a predetermined position.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a buildinghaving an opening and a door for closing said opening, of an electricmotor operatively connected with said door to move it to open positionor to closed position, main and secondary circuits for said motor and aswitch for said circuits, whereby the latter when closed 5.

' in the path of movement of a manually controlled device, a timecontrolled switch element in said separate circuit and controlledthereby, and a supplemental circuit arranged to be closed by said switchelement for controlling said main and secondary circuits, whereby thelatter operate said motor to move said door in the opposite direction.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a buildinghaving an opening and a door for closing said opening, of an electricmotor operatively connected with said door to move it to open positionor to closed position, main and secondary circuits for said motor and aswitch for said circuits, whereby the latter, when closed, operate themotor to move said door in one direction, a separate circuit including aswitch disposed in the path of movement of a manually controlled deviceand having a thermostat ele-i ment therein, a contact arranged to beengaged by said thermostat element, and a lead between said contact andsaid main and secondary circuits and arranged to complete a circuitincluding said separate circuit and said main and secondary circuits,whereby said motor is operated to move said door in the oppositedirection.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the separate circuitincludes a switch that is actuated into closed and open positions bysaid door, whereby said separate circuit can only be closed when thedoor is in a predetermined position.

HOWARD I. MORRIS.

